The Rheumatology Department at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust is committed to delivering high quality care with a personalised approach. We want to be able to help you when you need advice or require additional support. To enable us to do this, you can contact us in several in ways:
Advice Line
If you experience any problems with your rheumatology condition (e.g. worsening symptoms, medication side effects, treatment queries) and need to discuss it with a health professional, you should contact the Rheumatology Advice Line on 0113 3924444.
This is a voicemail service where you will be required to leave:
1. NHS number (this can be found on the NHS app or any hospital letter)
2. Name
3. Date of birth
4. Contact telephone number
5. A short message
Messages are checked every day (Monday to Friday) and you will be allocated a 15-minute call back slot with one of the Rheumatology Clinical Nurse Specialists. You can expect a text message with a call back time. We aim to return your call within 3 working days but, due to the volume of calls (>200 every week), this is not always possible.
If you are pregnant or have Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA), please state this clearly in your message so that your call can be triaged appropriately.
Important Information
If your problem is severe, urgent or life-threatening you should call 111 or go to the Emergency Department.
Prescription Management Team
If you have any questions relating to the prescription of your home delivery medication, need to tell us the start date of your new biologic treatment or require a blood request form, you can contact the Prescription Management Team on 0113 3924948.
This is a voicemail service where you will be required to leave:
1. Name
2. Date of birth
3. NHS number (this can be found on the NHS app or any hospital letter)
4. A short message
The service is run by administrative staff (Monday to Friday) who will aim to address your enquiry as soon as possible.
Please be aware that prescriptions for biologic drugs can take up to 4 weeks to process. As it is unsafe for us to prescribe your medication without recent blood results, you can request a blood form by filling out our Rheumatology Blood Form.
If you have an issue with the delivery of your medication, please download our Homecare Delivery Companies contact information document.
Blood Request Form
Many of the medications we use in Rheumatology can affect the way your body functions.
To make sure that your liver and kidneys are working properly and that you have the correct levels of red and white blood cells in your body, we regularly test your blood. If you are on a stable dose of medication, this is usually done every three months.
If you haven’t had your blood tested for a while, we will be unable to issue a repeat prescription for your usual medication. This is because it is unsafe to do so.
You can obtain a Blood Request Form by filling out our Rheumatology Blood Form or by contacting the Prescription Management Team on 0113 3924948.
Please note that as part of LTHT’s commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, we are now requesting bloods electronically using the ICE system. This means that you will no longer receive a paper form in the post. We will continue to post out paper forms to people who do not live in the Leeds area or whose GP does not use the ICE system.
Homecare Delivery Companies
If you are experiencing an issue with the home delivery (not prescription) of your medication or require a new sharps bin, you can contact your homecare provider directly. Please download our Homecare Delivery Companies contact information document.
Many homecare delivery companies also have mobile phone apps available. These are a useful way of managing your deliveries and tracking the progress of a prescription.
Other Healthcare Professionals
When living with a rheumatology condition, you may sometimes be referred to other healthcare professionals. If you have already been referred and have a question about an appointment or need further advice, please use the contact information below:
Adult Therapies (Podiatry, Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy)
Psychology & Counselling
Youth Worker
Rheumatology Advice Line
General Enquiries
Rheumatology Medical Secretaries
Can be contacted via the LTHT switchboard (AVA). This is an automated service and you will need to state the name of your consultant. Alternatively, you can ask to be put through to the operator.
Important Information
Please use the following links based on your needs:
- General enquiries form – If you have a general enquiry
- Change or cancel an appointment – If you wish to.
- Patient Hub – Alternatively, you can register with the online portal